FG Restates Commitment to Implement Fertilizer Control Act

FG Restates Commitment to Implement Fertilizer Control
Act

The Permanent Secretary, Federal of Agricultural and Rural
Development, Dr. Abdulkadir Mu’azu has reaffirmed the Federal
Government’s commitment towards implementing the National
Fertilizer Quality Control (NFQC) Act 2019 by ensuring that
fertilizer regulatory system is in place. The initiative would
increase agricultural productivity for national food security.

Speaking during the Operationalization of the National
Fertilizer Quality Control (NFQC) Act, 2019 meeting held at Reiz
Continental Hotel, Abuja on Tuesday evening, Dr. Abdulkadir Mu’azu
stated that the policy would safeguard the interest of the farmers
against nutrient deficiencies, adulteration, misleading claims,
short weight.

Dr. Mu’azu noted that ‘’it will also safeguard interests of
fertilizers enterprises ,thereby creating part of the enabling
environment for private sector investment in the fertilizer
industry and protect  the environment  against potential
dangers that may result from the use of harmful substances in
fertilizer’.

He informed that ‘’ the ministry has however been unrelenting in
the bid to set in motion the enforcement of the Fertilizer Act and
accordingly develope regulations for its implementation which has
been forwarded to the Federal Ministry of Justice for review by
legal draftsmen and subsequent gazetting’’.

The Permanent Secretary added that ‘’ in the implementing
regulations are the steps, processes, procedures and guideline for
effective enforcement of the NFQC Act’’.

He stated that ‘’ the ministry has listed the services
/activities necessary for the enforcement of the Act and is
therefore proposing fees ,tariffs and charges that will be
prescribed for the various services to be rendered for
consideration and adoption’’.

He further said that ‘’ this meeting is being convened to enable
us holistically examine the proposed charges /fees. In our
deliberations, the above key objectives must be put into utmost
consideration and none of it should be compromised’’.

In his presentation on key areas of the NFQC Act and the
regulations, Prof. Yemi Akinseye – George (SAN), said that ‘’ the
Federal Government and relevant stakeholders of the fertilizers
industry have taken the bull by the horn by enacting a robust legal
framework for quality control in the country’’.

Prof. Akinseye – George urged that ‘’ all hands must be on deck
to ensure full implementation of the National Fertilizer Quality
Control Act 2019’’.

In his introductory remark, Director, Department of Farm Inputs
Support Services in the Ministry , Engr. Tunde Bello stated that ‘’
the meeting will address the critical issues relating to
operationalization of the NFQC Act 2019 , particularly issue of
charges and the regulation of the manufacture ,importation,
distribution ,sales and quality of fertilizers in Nigeria’’

Ezeaja Ikemefuna

For: Director, Information (FMARD)

25/08/20.